The new art class room being built at the Good Child Foundation school in Thailand thanks to funds from Blantyre Soccer Academy

Share

Get daily updates directly to your inbox

Thank you for subscribing!

Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email

Over 1500 children who took part in a charity football tournament in memory of slain teen Reamonn Gormley have helped build an extension to a school in Thailand.

The popular Blantyre youngster, who was killed during an attempted robbery in his home town in February 2011, spent a gap year helping the Good Child Foundation and his family still support the charity.

Academy chairman Jimmy Whelan explained: “Our involvement with the foundation came after the tragic death of Reamonn.

“We decided it was only fitting to give something back to a charity which was so close to Reamonn’s heart by running our annual Reamonn Gormley Memorial Soccer Festival. All the money raised from this event is sent to The Good Child Foundation to help pay for the day-to-day running costs of this fantastic school.

“We are delighted that the money raised from this year’s tournament has funded a new art class and it is anticipated that the room will be up and running early in the new year.”

The school, which is based in Chanthaburi province on Thailand, offers placements for children with Down’s Syndrome who have previously been excluded from a school environment and an education.

The benefits for those children are immeasurable with support from their peers and social inclusion eliminating the barriers and stigma attached to disability.

The new art class is to be called The Blantyre Soccer Academy Art Room, with the academy’s crest proudly displayed on the wall.

Jimmy added: “Everyone at the academy feels totally humbled and proud that this art room shall be called after the academy.”